Cotton-picking machine



Sept. 22, 1953 M. D. RUST 2,652,676

COTTON-PICKING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.Mack 0. Fuji FIE .II

Sept. 22, 1953 M. D. RUST COTTON-PICKING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMay 16, 1950 IN V EN TOR. Mack 0. Pas/- HTTORNE Y5 NW my Sept. 22, 1953M. D. RUST 2,652,676

COTTON-PICKING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

I Mack 0. Quiz Sept. 22, 1953 M. D. RUST 2,652,675

COTTON-PICKING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIE E;

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FIE J J yllllldl/I/I/ I Wgll v m In;

INVENTOR. Mack 0. P052 F1E. 7 sw g Sept. 22, 1953 M. D. RUSTCOTTON-PICKING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

Mack 0. Rust 6 ATTORNEYS Sept. 22, 1953 M. D. RUST ,676

COTTON-PICKING MACHINE Filed May 16, 1950 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.Mack 0. 1905/ HTTOENE Y5 Patented Sept; 22, 1953' Qumran s'rATas PATENTOFFICE oo'r'roN- oKmG meme Maclbll. Rust, Coalinn, Calif. ApplicationMay 16, 1950, Serial No. 162,165

35 Claims. 1

- invention relatesgenerally to cotton picklhgmachines of the typemaking use of a-plurality of rotating spindles for the removal of cottonfiber from the plant boll. The present application is acontinuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 596,858,filed May 31, 1945, for Cotton Picking Machine, and which has beenabandoned'in favor of the present application.

Conventional cotton picking machines of the rotating spindle type employa large number of rotating spindles arranged in vertically spaced rows.The spindles are adapted to progress successively through a picking zonein which the spindles are extended into the plants, a stripping anddofiing zone in which cotton carried by the spindles is removed and amoistening zone in which moisture is applied to the spindles beforereturning them to the picking zone. In one type of cotton pickingmachine, which can be referred to as of the Rust type (see for-exampleThe Relatively heavy tapered spindles are employed,

which have rows of struck out spurs to engage the fiber.

The efficiency of operation of such cotton picking machines isdetermined by the amount of cotton which it will effectively pick fromthe plants in one pass, in proportion to the total cottonavailable forpicking. It is obviously desirable to maintain the picking efllciencyrelatively vents-normal fiufllng of the fiber when the boll cracks open.

. In general it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved cotton picking ma-- chine of the above type having means whichwill act upon bolls having smoothed over or matted fiber whereby thefiber is fiufled and conditioned for effective picking.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide novelfiufiing means carried by the frame of the machine in advance of thepicking spindles, and which serves to perform a fluffing operation topromote emcient picking action.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cotton pickingmachine of the above character having means tending to prevent droppingor a general downward crowding of the bolls .toward the bottom of thestalk, where a part of the cotton may not be properly acted upon by thepicking spindles.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedmouth construction for general gathering of the plants and for passingthe plants through the' various. operating zones of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide means serving to signalthe operator in the event undue pressure is applied to the walls of themouth or to the flufling means employed.

Another object of the invention is t provide I safety means which servesto stop the machine in high whereby in passing substantially all of theThis applies particularly to smooth surfaced spindles such as are usedin the Rust type machines. For example the exposed cotton fiber may besmoothed over or matted down whereby there is no fiufiy portion foradherence to the moistened surfaces of the spindles. This smooth,- ingover or matting down of the fiber may be due to various causes,including conditions of moisture the event undue pressure is applied tothe walls of the mouth or to the fiuffing means employed.

Another object of the invention is to provide means whereby an operatorcan view the doffer 'chambers without leaving the operators .seat,thereby enabling him to stop the machine promptly should the dofiermechanism or the suction duct entrance become clogged.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the followingdescription in which the preferredembodiments have been set forth indetail in conjunction with the associated drawing.

Referring to the drawingi Figure l is a top plan view of the machineembodying the present invention, certain parts being broken away.

Figure 2 is a view of the machine illustrated inFigure 1, certain partsbeing broken away and certain parts being in section.

Figure 3 is a detail vertical section taken along the line 3'-3 ofFigure 1.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail cross-section.

taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2, certain parts being broken'away.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail cross-section on the line 55 of Figure 2,certain parts being broken away.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail cross-section taken along the line 6-6 ofFigure 1.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view partly in section and partly inelevation, illustrating the clutch release valve.

Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating a portion of the clutch releasevalve.

Figure 9 is a detail side elevational view illustrating a part of themeans which can be employed for viewing certain interior operatingparts.

Figure 10 is a detail cross-sectional view taken along the line ||l-| 0of Figure 6, and on the same scale.

Figure 11 is a detail view on an enlarged scale illustrating one of thedrive pulleys employed.

Figure 12 is a plan view illustrating another embodiment of theinvention, and with certain parts being broken away.

Figure 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail showing the hingeconnection for structure I52.

Figure 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line|4-|4 of Figure 12.

Figure 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken along the line|5|5 of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line |6--|6 ofFigure 15.

Referring first to that embodiment of the invention illustrated inFigures 1 to 11 inclusive, it consists of a suitable tractor I providedwith the traction wheels 2, the guiding wheel 3, and the drivers seat 4.Conventional operating parts are provided such as the steering mechanism5, clutch pedal 6, manual clutch release I, the clutch release lever 8,and the driving motor 9.

For reasons to be presently described, it is desirable (but notessential) for the tractor to be provided with automatic means forreleasing the clutch under certain operating conditions. Eitherpneumatic or hydraulic means can be employed for this purpose. Thus(Figures 1, 7 and 8) a vacuum cylinder Ill is shown attached by pivot Hto the fixed support |2. The piston I3 which operates within thiscylinder, has its piston rod |4 operatively connected to the clutchrelease lever 8. A suitable control valve of the plunger type can beused in conjunction with the pneumatic cylinder, and can be constructedas shown in Figures 7 and 8. In this instance the valve includes a bodyI6 which accommodates the slidable valve plunger H. The rod i8 isattached to plunger l1 and forms the magnetic movable core of theoperating solenoid l9. It should be understood that lever 8 is the onecommonly found on agricultural tractors, and is located on the clutchshifting shaft which carries a fork which disengages the clutch when thelever 8 is moved in one direction. When lever 8 is released it permitsthe clutch to move to its engaged or in position.

Pipe 2| serves to connect the body of the valve with the cylinder l0 andduct 22 connects to the atmosphere through the air cleaner 23. A suctionor vacuum reservoir 24 is connected to the intake manifold of the enginethrough the suction pipe 25 and to the valve body by pipe 26. Acompression spring 21 urges the valve plunger I! to the left as viewedin Figure 7, and when solenoid I9 is not energized the plunger assumes aposition in which it interrupts communication between .2| placed incommunication with pipe 26, whereby vacuum is applied to cylinder H) todisengage the clutch.

The electrical circuit means for operating the solenoid l9 can include asuitable signal such as an electric horn 2B, which has its one sidegrounded, and its other side connected by wire 34 (through controlcontacts hereinafter described) to one terminal of the battery 29. Wire30 connects the same terminal of the horn 28 with one terminal ofsolenoid l9, and the other terminal of the solenoid is grounded asillustrated. The battery is connected in series with a pair ofelectrical control contacts. One spring mounted contact 3| is carried bythe fixed support arm 32. The other contact 33 is carried by a movableframe bar 35 which will be presently described in detail. When contacts3| and 33 are closed current flows through both the signal 28 and thesolenoid I9. It may be explained at this point that under certainoperating conditions, the

plants passing through the machine may clog against confining sidewalls, and under such conditions frame bar 35 is moved to close thecontacts 3| and 33 to engage solenoid l9. As will be evident from theforegoing, when solenoid 9 is energized the plunger valve is moved to aosition to establish communication between pipes 2| and 26, thusapplying vacuum to the cylinder ID to disengage the tractor clutch andthereby stop the machine. At the same time the signal 28 is energized.

The machine of Figures 1 to 12 inclusive preferably includes two cottonpicking units 36 for operating upon two plant rows. In general it isassumed that these units are, constructed the same as prior machines ofthe Rust type. The customary parts of these units are illustrateddiagrammatically, including the endless chains 31 for carrying thespindles 38, and the vertical shafts 39 which carry sprockets forengaging the chains 31. The parts just described are generally enclosedwithin the housings 4|, and are attached to frame parts (not shown)which in turn connect with the tractor frame. A forward extension of themachine frame carries yokes 42 each comprising vertical structuralmembers 43 which have their upper ends connected by members 44.

As disclosed in the aforementioned prior patents, in operation thespindles 38 for each unit are progressed as indicated by arrowsin Figure2, whereby they continuously pass through the picking zone 46. While inthe picking zone the moist spindles are continuously rotated to wind upcotton fiber with which they contact. After the spindles leave thepicking zone they progress through the housing 4|, where they are actedupon by stripping and dofling means to remove fiber, after which theyare moistened to prepare the same for subsequent picking.

To form a machine according to the present invention certain parts arecarried in advance of the picking units and serve to operate on theplants. Thus at the forward end of the machine, mouth forming structuresare'provided for forming a plant receiving tunnel or passage 41 for eachpicking unit. The two passages are formed by the side structure 48 inconjunction with the intermediate structure 49.

longitudinally extending and vertically spaced ribs for engaging andconfining the plants.

and which preferably is formed withthe bottom convex wall (Figure 3).Vertical side sheet metal walls 52 and 53 are connected at their 10131.ward-edges by the curved front wall 84. The

lower end of each structure 48 is enclosed-bye. bottom wall and isformed to provide thelongitudinally extending bottom flange 56 (Figure2) The intermediate structure 49 is formed similar to structures 48.Thus it includes the shoe or nose 51, together with side vertical sheetmetal walls 58, which are connected at their forward edges by curvedwall 59. Lower longitudinally ex- .tending flanges 6| are provided forboth sides of structure 49, and at the lower end of the same.

It will be evident from the foregoing and from Figure 2 that thestructures 48 and 49 form plant receiving passages 41 which confine theplants laterally and which converge rearwardly. The side walls 52 and 58of the two structures 48, 49 are directly connected by the verticalwall62, the horizontal wall or ceiling 63, and the connecting curved wall'64 (Figure 3). The upper edges of walls 62 can be formed integral withthe crossbeam or cowling 66 (Figure 3). When the machine moves over a,plant which is taller than the I effective height of the picking zone,such a plant mounted upon opposite sides of the path of movement of theplant. These drums are carried by the vertical shafts 69, H which arecarried by the journals 12, I3. Journal blocks 12 are mounted upon thefixed bars 14, which in turn are secured to the structural members 43,and to the vertical frame part 16. A plurality of fiufiing pins 11 arecarried by the periphery of the drum 81, and these pins are disposedsufiiciently close together to insure engagement with substantially allof the bolls passin through the machine. The pins l'l are preferablydisposed in vertically spaced rows, and stationary fingers 8| extendadjacent one side of the drum and between the rows of fingers. It willbe noted that the forward ends of the fingers 8| are attached to a framepart 43, and that their rear ends are attached to the frame part 16.

and 33.

The rear ends of frame bars 35 are pivotally carried by the machineframe at 88, thereby permitting limited swinging movement of the bars 35and the drums 68 in a horizontal direction. The rear ends of the bars 35terminate adjacent the' forward edges of the vertically spaced guideslats 82, which serve to confine the plants within the picking zone. Theupper and lower bars 35 can be connected forwardly of the drum 68 by thevertical structural members 83a and the upper bar 35 can be slidablysuspended by bracket 85 (Figure 10) which slidably engages flange 85a onframe part 44. Rearwardly of the drum 88 the bars 35 are connected byvertical member Spring means is provided for continuously urgingeachdrum 88 toward its cooperating drum 61. Thus guide pins 84 are slidablycarried by the vertical structural members 43, and are connected to theupperand lower bars 35. Compression springs 86 act between the frameparts 43 and the ham-thereby urging the bars together with each'associated drum 68 toward the cool erating drum 61.

Each drum 68 is similarly provided with a plurality of flufilng members81, which are .preferably arranged in vertically spaced rows, to thereby accommodate the stationary vertically spaced fingers 88. The forwardand rear ends of the fingers 88 are suitably secured to the frame whichincludes the bars 36.

v Figure 4 illustrates the manner in which the flufllng pins or membersof the two drums extend between the fingers 8| and 88 to points inproximity with each other. In'other words the zone of operation of thefiufiing pins completely encompasses the space through which the, plantsmust pass.

In practice it is desirable to positively rotate the drums 68, 69 in thedirection as indicated by arrows in Figure 2. Thus the upper ends of theshafts (Figure 4) are provided with drive pulleys 9|, 92 which areconnected to drive belts as will be presently explained.

Extending between the rear edges of the walls 58 and the fiufiing drums68, are the wall sections 93 which are pivoted at 94 for movementlaterally. It will be noted that the rear edges of wall sections 93overlap the forward extremities of the bars 35. When sufiicient plantpressure is applied to the wall sections 93, they move against theforward extremities of bars 35 to urge the same against the springs 86to ultimately close the electrical contacts 3| and 33.

In addition to the parts previously described,

I preferably provide means in conjunction with the forward structures48, 49 which tends toprevent pressing of the bolls downwardly toward thebottom part of the plant. For this purpose the wall 52 of each structure48 is provided with a plurality of vertically spaced and longitudinallyextending guide ribs or fins 96, which are approximately horizontal.Similarly the walls 58 are provided with the vertically spaced guideribs 91, and the wall sections 93 with the ribs 98. All of these ribspreferably have vertical spacing which is in excess of the normal bolldiameter, and the ribs are inclined, that is, they are elevated at theirrear ends (Figure 3), thereby tending to raise the bolls upwardly forproper passage through the picking zone. It will be evident that theseribs have a guiding action upon the plant bolls because the plant isgradually compressed to urge the bolls against the edges of the ribs,and to thereby tend to cause the bolls to follow along the ribs.

As additional fiufiing means it is desirable to provide fiufiing membersin the form of pins |9| mounted between the ribs (see Figure 3) and.

posed matter or smoothed over fiber. As shown particularly in Figure 5 anumber of such pins can be mounted above the uppermost rib and similarpins I82 can be mounted upon and extend rearwardly from the horizontalwall or cell- 83b and form a part of a frame which includes ing 63.

Suitable drive means for the flufling drums is illustrated in Figures 1and 11. A driving pulley I06 is attached to the upper end of one of theshafts 39 of the adjacent picking unit. This pulley is connected by beltI01 with the lowermost one of the three connected pulleys I08, I09 andIII. Pulley I09 is connected by belt II2 with the lowermost one of thetwo idler pulleys II3, II4. Pulley H4 is connected by the crossed beltII6 with the pulley 92. Belt II1 serves to connect pulley 8| with thepulley III. The location of the idler pulley I I4 facilitates lateralmovement of the pulley 02. 4

Preferably the rate of rotation of the flufling drums is such that thefiuffing pins or other boll penetrating members carried by the same moveslightly faster than the forward advance of the machine. This tends tocause the end of a pin to penetrate or pierce a boll, to move relativeto the boll in a direction longitudinally of the direction of movementof the machine and while in the boll, and then to be retracted whilesuch relative motion is taking place. This'action is deemed desirable insecuring effective fluffing action of matted fiber. In addition to theforegoing, I prefer to drive one drum at a speed slightly greater thanthe other whereby when a bell is engaged by the pins of both drums, suchpins move relative to each other and to the boll, to promote effectivefluffing action.

In Figure l the stripping and doifing means for one of the picking unitshas been indicated diagrammatically at HI, and is located within thechamber M. It is desirable to enable the operator to view the strippingand doffing means while the machine is in field operation. For thispurpose I provide windows I22 in one of the chamber walls to admitlight, and in addition I provide an electric illuminating lamp I23.- Asight opening is provided in the top wall or cover of each doffingchamber, and above the side wall there is an inclined viewing mirrorI24. Additional mirrors I26 are mounted in front of the operator, andpositioned whereby the operator may, by use of mirrors I26 and I24, viewthe interior of each dofiing chamber. In addition he may view theentrance to the suction conduit I21, and throughwhich removed fiber isconveyed, thus determining whether or not this entrance opening isblocked.

Operation of the machine illustrated in Figures l to 12 inclusive can bereviewed as follows: Although the machine can operate upon a singleplant row, it is intended for normal operation upon two rowssimultaneously. As the machine proceeds along two rows of plants, thepicking unit is driven continuously with continual movement of thespindle carrying means, and with continuous rotation of the spindleswithin the picking zone. The fiuffing drums 61 and 63 are drivencontinuously and in opposite directions as indicated by the arrows inFigure 2. As plants enter the passages 41 they are iniitally compressedlaterally, and then plants beyond a certain height are compressedvertically. Note that the compression vertically follows lateralcompression, whereby vertical compression will not serve to force thelower bolls toward the bottom of the plant stalk. This is becauselateral compression which has taken place by the time the plant iscompressed vertically, causes the lower bolls to be engaged with theribs 86, 91 whereby at the time of vertical compression they tend toremain and follow along the ribs, rather than to be forced downwardly.The ribs 96, 91

and 98 are spaced vertically a su-flicient amount whereby bolls mayenter between the same to engage the flu-fllng pins I 0|, also by virtueof engagement with the wall or ceiling 03, the upper bolls are engagedby the flufling pins I02. Movement across the fiufiing pins justmentioned tends to cause a flumng effect upon exposed matted 0r smoothedover fiber.

The bolls are next acted, upon by the flufiing pins 11, 81 of thefiufilng drums. These flufling pins are so distributed thatsubstantially all of the bolls are penetrated by the pins, and while apin is within a boll it is advanced rearwardly faster than the boll andthen retracted. I'his causes an outward tearing effect (1. e. fiberpulling) which tends to break the matting of the fiber, and to leavefiufied masses of cotton. The bolls now proceed through the picking zonewhere the flufied cotton is contacted by the moistened and rotatingpicking spindles, to carry out apicking operation as with conventionalmachines of the Rust type.

If at any time serious crowding occurs within the region of the fiufilngdrums or immediately in advance of the same, the drums 68 are permittedto move laterally to cause closing of the electrical contacts 3| and 33.This causes sounding of the alarm 28 together with automaticenergization of solenoid I9, with resulting release of the tractorclutch. Thus the forward advance of the machine is stopped and themachine made inoperative until the clogging is relieved. While themachine is in operation the operator may at all times view the dottingand stripping means,

and also the inlets to the pneumatic conduits I21, thus making certainthat these parts are operating properly;

Figures 12 to 16 illustrate another embodiment of the invention in whicha single fiufiing drum is utilized in conjunction with each pickingunit, in place of the two flufling drums of Figures 1 .to 1 inclusive.Thus in this instance the picking unit I3I is the same as previouslydescribed, and is as sociated with the forward structures I32, I 33corresponding to structures 48, 49 and which form the plant entrantpassage I34.

The single fluffing drum I 36 can be constructed as shown in Figures 15and 16. Thus the vertical shaft I31 serves to mount the tubular hub I38,and which has threaded end portions I39, I4I. A plurality of relativelyfiat circular discs I42 are positioned upon the hub I38, and areretained apart in spaced vertical relationship by the spacer rings I43.Each disc has its periphery formed to provide the saw-shaped teeth I44.The upper end of shaft I31 is carried by the block I45, which in turn iscarried by the upper support bar I46 (Figure 15). The lower end of theshaft can be carried by the block I41, which is carried by the lowersupport bar I46 of the machine. Fingers I48 are arranged to extendbetween the teeth I44, the same as the fingers BI and 88 of Figure 2.

Adjacent one side of the drum I36 (Figure 12) there is a verticallyextending wall I49, which is carried by vertical structural member I5Iand the frame I52, the latter including the upper and lower membersI52a, I 52b and the vertical members I52c and I52d. Pivotal connectionsI53 connect the rear edge of frame structure I52 with the adjacent edgeof the frame I55 and corresponds to the pivotal connection of Figure 2.Frame I55 includes horizontal strips or rails which are verticallyspaced and which extend between the outer ends of the picking spindlesto confine plants in the picking zone. The forward edge of the framestructure I52 is guided-by the slidable guide pins I54, and is urgedtoward engagement with the plants by the compression springs I56. Theelectrical contacts 3|, 33 previously described with reference toFigures 1 to 11, are associated with structure I52, and are closed whenthe structure is moved by the pressure of plants applied to the same.The structure I32 is provided with longitudinally extending ribs I51corresponding to the ribs 96 of Figure 2, and the structure I33 issimilarly provided with ribs I58, I59 which correspond to the ribs 91and 98. Ribs I59 are carried by the wall section I6I, corresponding towall section 93, and

carried by the hinge I62. Stationary fiufiing pins I63 can be associatedwith the ribs just described, and can correspond to the stationaryfiuffing pins IOI of Figure 2. The plant engaging wall I49 is providedwith longitudinally extending ribs. I64, which are spaced vertically anddisposed in planes intermediate the planes of the teeth I44. Rearwardlyof the wall I49 the frame structure I52 can be provided withlongitudinally extending ribs I66 (Figure 14).

Figure 14 shows means which can be employed to yieldably support theframe I55. Thus frame extension I68 can be pivotally attached at I69 tothe arms HI, and these arms can be pivotally attached at I12 to thesupport plates I13. These support plates in turn are pivotally connectedat I14 to frame members I16, which form a portion of the frame of thepicking unit. Bolts I11 and I18, which extend through slots, permitadjustable clamping of the arms I1I to the plates I13 and adjustablclamping of the plates to the frame members I16. Thus adjustments can bemade to raise or lower the pivots I69 relative to the frame members I16,or to adjust the same laterally, Bolts I19 slidably extend through thestructural frame members I8I, and are attached to the extensions I68;These bolts carry the compression springs I82 which act to hold theframe I55 in its normal operating position. With this arrangement it isevident that pressure applied to the frame -I55 byplants passing throughthe picking unit, may move this frame outwardly a limited amount.

The drum I36 can be driven in the same manner as each of the drums ofthe preceding embodiment. The direction of drive is preferably such thatteeth I44 move in the direction shown in Figure 16, and at such a ratethat these teeth after penetration of a boll move rearwardly relative tothe boll before their complete retraction. This causes a pulling. outand loosening of the fiber, thus providing fiuffcd portions forengagement by the rotating picking spindles. i

It will be noted that as plants pass through the machine they are firstoperated upon by th ribs I51, I58, I59, the sameas in the embodiment ofFigures 1 to 11 inclusive, and also by the stationary fiufling pins I63.As the plants continue through the machine, they are then acted upon bythe fiufiing drum I36, and as they pass through the region of operationof this drum, the bolls are crowded against the fluffing teeth or bollpenetrating members I44, whereby these teeth are caused to penetrate thebolls. Immediately thereafter lateral pressure upon the plant and thebolls is partially relieved, and the plant passes along the ribs I66, toenter the picking zone.

It will be evident that the embodiment of Figures 12 to 16 inclusive isconsiderably simpler than the first described embodiment, particularlyin that only one fiufllng drum is required for each picking unit. Inaddition the fiuffln drum smoothed over or matted fibers are fiufled insuch a manner that they are engaged by the icking spindles, the same asa boll which shows naturally fiuffed cotton. In this fluffing operationno substantial amount of cotton is removed from the bolls, andpractically all of the cotton is permitted to remain on the plant tothereby permit the desired cotton recovery in the picking operation.

' I claim:

1. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are employed and the plants caused to pass throughmeans providing a picking zone into which the spindles extend, meansproviding a passage adjacent the entrant end of said zone for entranceof a plant and for passing the plants to the picking zone, and cottonfiufiing means disposed adjacent said passage to engage plants' passingthrough the same in advance of contact of the plants with the pickingspindles.

2. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are employed and the cotton plants caused to passthrough means providing a picking zone into which the spindles project,means providing a passage adjacent the entrant end of said zone forreceiving the plants and for passing the plants to the picking zone, andcotton flufilng means disposed adjacent said passage to engage plantspassing through the same in advance of contact of the plants withthepicking spindles, said fiufiing means comprising boll piercing members,and means for actuating said members to recurrently cause the same topenetrate bolls and to retract from the same to thereby fluff cotton.

3. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are employed and the cotton plants caused to passthrough means providing a picking zone into which the spindles extend,means providing a passage adjacent the entrant end of the zone forreceiving cotton plants and for passing the plants to the picking zone,and cotton flufling means disposed adjacent said passage to engageplants passing through the same in advance of contact of the plants withthe spindles, said fluffing means including at leastone rotatable drumprovided with outwardly projecting boll piercing members, said drumbeing disposed alongside the path of movement of plants through saidfirst means to thereby cause said members to pierce and retract from thebolls of the plant to fluff the cotton fiber prior to engagement-of thebolls by the spindles.

4. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are employed and the cotton plants caused to passthrough a picking zone into which the spindles project, means providingaplantadjacent the entrant end of the zone passage for receiving plantsand for passing the plants to the pickingzone, and cotton flufiing meansdisposed adjacent said passage to engage plants passing through the samein advance of contact of the plants with the spindles, said fluflingmeans including atleast one rotatable drum provided with outwardlyprojecting boll piercing members, said drum being disposed alongside thepath of movement of plants tov thereby cause said members to pierce andretract from the bolls of the plant to fluff the cotton fiber prior toits engagement of the same by said spindles, and means for driving saiddrum to cause said boll piercing members to move relative to engagedbolls while in boll penetrating position.

5. In combination, a cotton picking machine having rotatable cottonicking spindles for removing cotton from the plants, means providing aplant receiving picking zone for operation of the spindles, cottonflufflng mechanism located on the machine in advance of said zone, saidmechanism including a plurality of fiufling pins disposed to engage thecotton bolls as the machine travels over the plants.

6. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are used and cotton plants are passed through a pickingzone into which the spindles project, structural means providing apassage to receive plants and for passing the plants to the pickingzone, said means including vertically extending walls defining the sidesof the passage and converging rearwardly, and boll engaging cottonfiufing members carried by and projecting from said side walls andadapted to engage bolls passing therethrough.

7. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are used and cotton plants are passed through a pickingzone into which the spindles project, structural means providing apassage to receive lants and for passing the plants to the picking zone,said means including vertically extending walls defining the sides ofthe passage and converging rearwardly, and a plurality of verticallyspaced ribs carried by said side walls and adapted to engage and guidebolls passing through the passage.

8. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are used and cotton plants are passed through a pickingzone into which the spindles project, structural means providing apassage to receive plants and for passing the plants to the pickingzone, said means including vertically extending walls defining the sidesof the passage and converging rearwardly, and 'a plurality of verticallyspaced ribs mounted upon said walls and adapted to engage and directbolls moving through the passage, said ribs being elevated at their rearends to provide a lifting efl'ect upon bolls.

9. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cottonpicking spindles are employed and the cotton plants pass through apicking zone intowhich the spindles extend, structures providing a plantreceiving passage for the machine and serving to pass plants to thepicking zone, said structure including a pair of walls defining thesides of the mouth and disposed to converge rearwardly to squeeze plantsbetween the same, a plurality of vertically spaced and rearwardlyextending guide ribs mounted upon said walls to engage plants passingtherethrough, and boll engaging flufling pins mounted upon said sidewalls and distributed to engage the bolls passing through the mouth.

10. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein rotatablecotton picking spindles are employed and the plants caused to passthrough a picking zone into which the spindles extend, structuresproviding a passage for receiving plants and for passing plants to thepicking zone, said structures providing side walls disposed in a generalvertical position and converging rearwardly toward each other to squeezeplants passing therethrough, and upper walls extending between said sidewalls commencing at a region spaced rearwardly of the forward edges orthe side walls, said upper walls serving to direct the tops of oversizedplants downwardly whereby such top portions are caused to pass throughthe picking zone, and a plurality of vertically spaced guide ribsmounted upon the side walls and extending forwardly of said upper wallsand beneath the same, said ribs extending generally longitudinally ofthe direction of movement of the machine and serving to engage and guidebolls to thereby prevent dropping of the same.

11. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used, the improvement which includes: means providing apassage for the plants before the plants are engaged by the pickingspindles, and means for flufling the cotton on the plants in saidpassage, said flufling means includes a pair of revolving drums disposedon opposite sides of the passage and provided with outwardly projectingcottonengaging elements operating to penetrate, withdraw from the opencotton and fluff they open cotton while on the plants, and means fordriving said drums at approximately the speed of travel of the machinealong the row of plants.

12. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used, the improvement which includes: means providing apassage for the plants before the plants are engaged by the pickingspindles, means for flufling the cotton on plants in said passage, saidflufling means including a pair of revolving drums provided withoutwardly projecting cotton-engaging elements operating to penetrate,withdraw from the open cotton and fluff the open cotton while on theplants, and means for driving said drums at approximately the speed oftravel of the machine along the row of plants, with one drum rotatingslightly faster than the other.

13. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are'passed through a tunnel intowhich the spindles project, the improvement comprising means at theentrant end of the tunnel providing an elongated plant receiving mouth,said means including side walls extending forward from the tunnel andprovided with approximately horizontally disposed fins.

14. The machine of claim 13 wherein means are provided to deflect atleast one of said side, walls relative to the other side wall when apredetermined plant pressure is encountered.

15. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through a tunnel intowhich the spindles project, the improvement comprising means at theentrant end of the tunnel having an elongated plant receiving mouth,said means including side walls extending forward from the tunnelentrance and provided with longitudinally disposed channel members forming plant engaging fins.

16. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through a tunnel intowhich the spindles project, the improvement comprising means at theentrant end of the tunnel having an elongated plant receiving mouth,

ward from the tunnel entrance and provided with longitudinally disposedchannel members for ming fins and a plurality of inwardly pro ect ngcotton-engaging elements carried by said side walls.

18. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through a tunnel intowhich the spindles project, the improvement comprising means at theentrant end of the tunnel having an elongated plant receiving mouth,said means including side walls extending forward from the tunnelentrance and provided with approximately horizontally disposed plantengaging fins and a plurality of inwardly projecting cotton-engagingelements carried by said side walls and projecting into the passagewaybetween said side walls to encounter the cotton and rake the same.

19. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through a'tunnel intowhich the spindles project, the improvement comprising means at theentrant end of the tunnel having an elongated plant receiving mouth,

said means including side walls extending for-.

ward from the tunnel entrance and provided with longitudinally disposedchannel members forming plant engaging fins and a pluralityof inwardlyprojecting cotton-fiufiing elements carried by said side walls andprojecting into the passageway between said side walls to engage thecotton and rake the same.

20. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through a tunnel intowhich the spindles project, the improvement comprising means at theentrant end of the tunnel defining an elongated plant receiving mouth,said means including side walls extending forward from the tunnelentrance, and longitudinally disposed fins inclining upwardly, slightly,from the front toward the rear of the mouth, said fins being mounted onthe opposed faces of the side walls.

21. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through a pickingzone into which the spindles project, the improvement w comprising meansat the entrant end of the picking zone defining an elongated plantreceiving mouth, said means including side walls extending forward fromthe entrance of the picking zone, and approximately horizontallydisposed .plant engaging fins carried by said sidewalls,

and a cotton fluffing device located at the rear of the mouth andadjacent the front end of the picking zone of the machine.

22. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets 14 ment comprising means atthe entrant end of the picking zone defining an elongated plantreceiving mouth, said means including side walls extending forward fromthe entrance end of the picking zone and provided with a roof,-the sidewalls extending forwardly of the roof, and inwardly projectinglongitudinally disposed fins mounted on the side walls.

23. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cotton gatheringspindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through a pickingzone into which the spindles project, the improvement comprising meansat the entrant end of the picking zone defining an elongated mouth, saidmeans including side walls extending forward from the forward end of thepicking zone and provided with a roof, the side walls extendingforwardly of the roof, and inwardly projecting longitudinally disposedfins inclining slightly upward from front to back of the mouth andcarried by the side walls.

24. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of rotating cottongathering spindles project into and are carried along a tunnel throughwhich the plants are passed, the improvement which includes: said tunnelhaving an elongated plantreceiving mouth at its entrant end, said mouthcomprising side walls and a roof extending forwardly from said tunnel,said roof at its forward end extending upwardly to form a front wallwhich the plants engage and by which the plants are bent over intoposition to pass through the tunnel, said side walls extending forwardlyof said front wall to embrace the plants and con-' centrate them as theyapproach said front wall, and cotton-flufling pins on said side wallsand being directed rearwardly-inwardly of the tunnel.

25. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of rotating cottongathering spindles project into and are carried along a tunnel throughwhich the plants are passed, 'the improvement comprising means formingan elongated plantreceiving mouth at the entrant end of the tunnel, saidmouth comprising side walls and a roof extending forwardly from saidtunnel, said roof at iits forward end extending upwardly to form a frontwall which the plants engage and by which the plants are bent over intoposition to pass through the tunnel, said side walls extending forwardlyof said front wall to embrace the plants and concentrate them as theyapproach said front wall and longitudinally disposed inwardly projectingfins on the opposed faces of said side walls.

26. In a cotton picking machine wherein sets I of rotating cottongathering spindles project into and are carried along a tunnel throughwhich the plants are passed, the improvement which includes: said tunnelhaving an elongated plantreceiving mouth at its entrant end, said mouthcomprising side walls and a roof extending forwardly from said tunnel,said roof at its forward end extending upwardly to form a front wallwhich the plants engage and by which the plants are bent over intoposition to pass through the tunnel, said side walls extending forwardlyof said front wall to embrace the plants and concentrate them as theyapproach said front wall and inwardly projecting fingers on said sidewalls for purposes described.

27, In a cotton picking machine wherein sets of rotating cottongathering spindles project into and are carried along a tunnel throughwhich the plants are passed, the improvement which includes: the entrantend of the tunnel having a plant-receiving mouth, said inouth comprisingside walls and a roof extending forwardly from said tunnel, said roof atits forwardend extending upwardly to form a front wall which the plantsengage and by which the plants are bent over into position to passthrough the tunnel, said side walls extending forwardly of said frontwall and diverging forwardly to embrace and concentrate the plants asthey approach said front wall and longitudinally disposed inwardlyprojecting fins on the opposed faces of said side walls together withinwardly projecting fingers on said opposed faces.

28. In combination, a cotton picking machine having sets of cottongathering spindles for removing cotton from the plants, cotton fiufllngmechanism located on the machine in advance of said spindles, saidmechanism including elements for entering the cotton while it remains onthe plant and flufling the cotton without removing the cotton from theplant, said elements including approximately horizontal stationary rowsof pins for engaging the cotton as the machine travels over the plants,by virtue of all of which the cotton on the plant is prepared for easyand substantially complete removal from the plant by the spindles.

29. In combination, a cotton picking machine having sets of cottongathering spindles for removing cotton fromthe plants, cotton fluffingmechanism located on the machine in advance, of said spindles, saidmechanism including elements for entering the cotton while it remains onthe plant and finding the cotton without removing the cotton from theplant, said elements including rotating members having cottonfiufiingpins on their peripheries, longitudinal rows of cotton-fluifing pinslocated in advance of said rotating members, and means for rotating saidelements at predetermined speeds, by virtue of all of which the cottonon the plant is prepared for easy and substantially complete removalfrom the plant by the spindles.

30. In combination with a cotton picking machine having an entrancetunnel and cotton picking spindles at the rear of the tunnel entrance,means located in advance of said spindles for engaging and fiuffingcotton on the plants before the cotton is acted on by the spindles andWithout removing the cotton from the plant, said means includingrotating bodies having cotton flufiing elements that engage and flufithe cotton while it is retained on the plant, and longitudinal rows ofcotton-fiufling pins in the tunnel in advance of said rotating bodies.

31. In combination with a cotton picking machine having an entrancetunnel and cotton picking spindles at the rear of the tunnel entrance,means located in advance of said spindles for engaging and fluflingcotton on the plants before the cotton is acted on by the spindles andwithout removing the cotton from the plant, said means includingrotating bodies having cotton fluffing elements that engage and fluffthe cotton while it is retained on the plant, and longitudinallydisposed fins along the tunnel in advance of said rotating bodies.

32. In combination with a cotton picking machine having an entrancetunnel and cotton picking spindles at the rear of the tunnel entrance,

means located in advance of said spindles for engaging and flufiingcotton on the plants before the cotton is acted on by the spindles andwithout removing the cotton from the plant, said means includingrotating bodies having cotton flufiing elements that engage and fluffthe cotton while it is retained on the plant, longitudinally disposedthis along the tunnel in advance ofsaid rotating bodies, andlongitudinal rows of cottonflufflng pins in the tunnel in advance ofsaid rotating bodies.

33. In combination with a cotton picking machine wherein sets of cottongathering spindles are used and the cotton plants are passed through apicking zone into which the spindles project, a structure forming amouth for the tunnel, and cotton fluffing means disposed adjacent saidmouth to engage and disengage plants passing through the same in advanceof contact of the plants with the spindles, said flufiing meansconsisting of two of said revolvable drums disposed in proximity witheach other and on opposite sides of the path of movement of plantsthrough said mouth, said drums being disposed alongside the path ofmovement of plants through said mouth to thereby cause said pins topenetrate and retract from the balls of the plant to fluff the'cottonfiber prior to engagement of the same by said spindles.

34. In a cotton picking machine wherein rotatable cotton spindles areemployed and the plants passed through a picking'zone into which thespindles project, the improvement comprising means forming a mouth forreceiving plants and for passing the plants through the picking zone, amovable member forming a side wall portion of said mouth and movablelaterally of the path of movement of the plants therethrough, said wallportion being adapted to be moved by the pressure of plants upon thesame, means for yieldably urging said wall portion in a direction towardthe plants passing through said structures, and signalling meansresponsive to movement of said wall portion by the pressure of plantspassing through the machine.

35. In combination with a wheeled cotton picking machine wherein thewheels of the machine are driven by motive means and sets of cottongathering spindles are employed, the cotton plants being caused to passthrough a picking zone into which the spindles project, structural meansforming a mouth to receive plants and for passing the plants to thepicking zone, the

structure forming said mouth including a wall portion forming one sideof the mouth and adapted to be engaged by plants passing therethrough,yieldable means for urging said wall portion toward plants passingtherethrough, and means responsive to movement of said member by plantspassing through the mouth to disable said motive means.

